Boun That Luang

Today being a Sunday, I decided to spent my time visiting "Boun That Luang" or That Luang Festival that is taking place in Vientiane.

Pha That Luang, also known as the Golden Stupa is the national symbol and the most important religious monument of Laos. The monument dates from 1566. It has been destroyed and ransacked and renovated numerous times. The site is sacred as the Lao people believe that the stupa enshrines a relict of Budhha.

Pha That Luang (Golden Stupa)

The Golden Stupa

"Boun That Luang" is Vientiane's most important Theravada Buddhist festival. It is held for a week during the full moon of the 11th Lunar month. This year (being a Lunar Leep year), the week-long festival starts on 22 November and will end on 28 November (15th day of the lunar month - full moon day). Monks and lay-people from all over Laos congregate at the stupa to celebrate the occasion with 3 days of religious ceremonies followed by a week-long festivities, day and night.

The procession of lay-people begins at Wat Si Muang in the city center and proceeds to Pha That Luang to make offerings to the monks in order to accumulate merits for rebirth into a better life. The religious part concludes as lay-people, carrying incense and candles as offerings circumulate Phat That Luang 3 times in honour of Buddha. Folk and popular music troupes and drama performances provide entertainment at the festival. Read more here.

One of the Offerings besides flowers and candles

The temple has set a number of stores collecting donations

Another Temple Store

Seeking for a favourable horoscope on this auspicious festival

Besides the religious activities, there is a carnival atmosphere at Pha That Luang, especially for shoppers with many stores selling all kinds of merchandise. From clothing, hand bags, shoes, wood carvings, food, tit bits, mobile phones, DVDs etc. There is also a mini fun fare for the children.